Composition of matter for preventing the occurrence of explosions



inches in thickness.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SHEEHAN, OF DUNKIRK, NEW YORK.

COMPOSITION OF MATTER FOR PREVENTING THE OCCURRENCE OF EXPLOSIONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,666, dated March27, 1883. Application filed July 17, 1882. No spccimensl Patented inEngland May 19, 1882, No. 2,366.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS SHEEHAN, a citizenof the United States, residing at Dunkirk, Chautauqua county, State ofNew York, United States of America, residing temporarily at 49 GreatPortland street, in the county of Middlesex, England, have inventedcertain new Means for Preventing Explosions in Steam- Boilers, Mines,and other Places, (for which I have received Letters Patent in GreatBritain,

which otherwise are liable to accumulate. I

make the mixture of hydrate of lime or slaked lime, black oxide ofmanganese, and powdered charcoal, in the proportion of twenty parts, byweight, of lime to two parts of black oxide of manganese and fifteenparts of charcoal. These substances should all be finely powdered. Theyare to be intimately mixed in any convenient manner. The mixture shouldbe kept, until required for use, in air-tight boxes. For use insteam-boilers I prepare cases of thin perforated sheet metal. The sizeand dimensions of the case (or cases) must depend upon the form of theboiler but the more extensive the surface exposed the better, and thecase should be capable of containinga bed of the material several Thedimensions of a case suitable for a Cornish boiler'six (6) feet indiameter would be about eighteen (18) inches Gases similarlychargedserve as a wide, six (6) inches deep, and of the same length I as theboiler. The case, when charged, is to be placed in the steam-space ofthe boiler as far above the water line as is convenient. It is sometimesconvenient to provide guides within the boiler, on which the case orcases may be made to slide in and out. The cases should be occasionallyexamined to ascertain whether the material is still in active andreliable condition. If it be found to effervesce when sulphuric acid isdropped upon it, it is spent, and should be replaced by a fresh charge.

I make similar arrangements to prevent explosions in' mines. In thiscase I provide a perforated sheet-metalbox or case upon wheels, so thatit may be drawn along the rails in the mine as a trolley. The dimensionsof the box or case may conveniently be nine feet long by two feet wideand ten inches deep. The box or case should be well perforated all over,so

that the mine-gas may obtain ready access to the charge of materialwhich it contains. The box or case, when in use, is to be drawn to anypart of the mine in which it may be found that mine gas is present. Thedangerous gases (mixtures of carbureted hydrogen and oxygen) areabsorbed by the charge and their explosion thus prevented.

Having thus described the nature of my said invention and the manner ofperforming the same, I would have it understood that I claim- Thecomposition consisting of the mixture of hydrate of lime or slaked lime,black oxide of manganese, and charcoal, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

THOMAS SHEE HAN.

Witnesses J. WATT, N. J. SKERTEN, Both of 17 Gracechm-ch Street, London.

